New Build Sports Center
Since 1962, Tilburg University has had its own Sports Center. It is very popular among both students and staff. In order to continue to properly meet the sports needs of the rapidly increasing numbers of student athletes, it is necessary that we expand and redevelop our sports facilities.
Decision on new building scenario
In April 2022, the Executive Board, with the approval of the University Council, decided to further develop the scenario with the possibility of a complete new building for the Sports Center on one of the outdoor sports fields on the Sportweg. The current hockey fields are the most suitable for this. Based on various studies, it appears that a completely new construction is the most future-oriented. The renovation of the outdated complex in combination with an expansion at the same location has also been investigated. However, this scenario meets with several objections. For example, no exams can be held for several years and part of the sports complex will have to be closed temporarily.
With an entirely new sports complex, these objections can be removed and a second need can be met, namely the shortage of student housing. In addition to insufficient capacity for student sports at the current location, there is also a lack of housing for students in the city. A new building at a new location also provides the opportunity to have, among other things, student housing developed in at the old Sports Center location. This makes this scenario extra attractive both for our university as for the city since we are thereby also working on the student housing problem. We also act in line with the developments of the Knowledge Quarter (Kenniskwartier) in which a mixed housing program is pursued. See the website of the Municipality for more information about the Knowledge Quarter (in Dutch).
Follow-up phase
In the next phase of the project, a first design will be made. Tilburg University will discuss this with various stakeholders including the student sports associations, the municipality of Tilburg and stakeholders in the Knowledge Quarter. This phase will result in more insight into the environmental opportunities and financial effects. In this phase, the potential developments of the current location will be further examined. Keeping in mind the ambitions of the Kenniskwartier, including the realization of student housing.
The new sports center is expected to be ready for use in 2027/2028. the possibility of temporarily increasing fitness and group exercise capacity is being explored. Crossfit facilities and possibly two more padel courts are also being investigated. Off course, we will first consult with the stakeholders in the area. The municipality will be consulted to check, among other things, the necessary planning permissions.
Sports Center
All Dutch universities (except the Open University) offer sports facilities. Our Sports Center is used a great deal by both students and staff. In 2019, more than 12,000 people had a sports membership. The Sports Center was established based on the idea of a healthy mind in a healthy body and since then there has been increasingly more evidence that exercise and playing sports has important health benefits: it leads to a significant increase in study performance, it improves mental and physical wellbeing, and contributes to community building.